David

Christ, we've not even started the season proper and already Forbes is getting it in the neck?

And so it begins... It doesn't seem that long since I got off the bus in the pissing rain after watching us get beaten in the final, yet a new optimism is in the air! I can't see anything other than a victory for us in this game. If we play half as well as we did against Leeds (before we started making changes, of course) then I don't see us having much of a problem. As I've said elsewhere, if we can retain the services of Murphy beyond August I think we'll be more than a handful for any team going forward. The defence does concern me right enough. Hopefully McCall has a signing in mind as the English sides confirm their squads towards the end of the transfer window. Still, I think we'll have enough to get 3 points on the board nice & early.

There was a bloke that looked a bit like you selling matchday programmes today Elder!

Let's hope I beat you to the shirt in the auction as well!

The list has been updated. Apart from the games with Hearts & Rangers every game we play until the end of October is a 3pm kick off on a Saturday. The Hearts game is a 3pm kick off on a Sunday.

If any of those match worn shirts from todays game with Leeds go up I'll certainly be interested in bidding!

The new kit is pretty decent to be fair, don't you think? I thought the 125th anniversary kit looked the business today, all the way down to the old school numbers on the back. I'm a big fan of the minimalist look though. I'd prefer the retro look every season to be honest, although I doubt that would do much for kit sales.

If we hold onto Murphy I'm looking forward to seeing the attacking partnership between him & Law. Lasley was also excellent in the first half, continuing on from last season. I thought both Humphrey and Jennings looked poor today, with a few shoddy tackles by the latter. Big Higdon doesn't seem to be at the races yet, but hopefully that'll improve over time. If we manage to hold onto the attacking players we have at present I think we'll be giving a lot of teams problems this season. Another central defender is needed, and I also get the feeling that Humphrey is going to have us all pulling our hair out again over the coming months.

Is there a date when the away shirt will be unveiled?

Any time a Scottish team plays an English team, be it a friendly or not, I think there's an added aspect to the game, and certainly hope that's the case on Saturday. With this being our last pre-season game as well I think we're in for a good 'un.

If we did move to the Ravenscraig site, the location would maybe play a part. It's easy to underestimate how far into that area you need to walk from the bus stop to get even close to the new sportscentre, for example. I don't think it's the best choice of venue. Too out of the way for my liking.

I find it easier to simply put cash away the previous season, then paying up front for my ticket. It cuts out all of this hassle.

I assumed you were talking about the shoddy postal service anyway Busta? It didn't come off as though you were complaining about the club.

Have you rang them to ask what's going on? Everyone I know who ordered their ticket have now got it through the post.

Aye, it seems as though there's been virtually no coverage of the game on the official site at all.

The post office are notorious for that kind of shite. Is it being held at the delivery office? I had ordered something off ebay and got an email from the seller saying that the tracking number told him that they had tried to deliver it and had left a card saying I'd to pick it up. I got no such card. It was in the delivery office though.

It's also worth remembering that the lad is still only 22 as well. He's got time to improve. A season or a half season on loan again may do him some good, especially with the midfield looking a bit stacked this season.

That's a class shirt. I'd buy that without hesitation.

Excellent. I'll be in Canada that week so I'll hopefully be able to catch the game over there.

Has there been any word on concessions for kids and so forth?

Having spoken to a few friends down south it's widely believed that he's bound for bigger & better things. I'm just glad we'll get to assist him in doing that, whilst obviously reaping the benefits as far as financially and service to the club go.

Nice one. I'll likely get mines on Wednesday before the Thistle game.

Can you book your season ticket seat? Or is it a free for all?